GRIST - What does great sustainable style look like? Here are 9 ideas.
MI Leggett
Designer and founder of Official Rebrand
New York, New York
Here I am in my studio wearing a T-shirt for the collection about Joan of Arc I designed for the skatewear brand BRUJAS. It was sewn in Manhattan’s garment district from a deadstock Japanese waffle fabric and printed in Brooklyn with a graphic I designed based on medieval illuminations. The button-up shirt was thrifted. It had some bleach spots on it, so eventually I’ll bleach it even more to give it a new look. The jeans were secondhand, and I painted them a few years ago for my brand, Official Rebrand. The watch I found on the street in Ridgewood. I cleaned it with a toothbrush and got the battery replaced, and now it works great!
I think of my clothes as fluid, and that’s key to keeping my wardrobe both sustainable and fresh. I don’t see garments as being fixed or finished, but change them constantly to fit my needs. I think people should feel more free to cut, paint, stitch and change their clothing more. Creativity and individuality are keys to honing a style that is both personal and sustainable. Mending, swapping, and sharing are also great ways to dress as sustainably as possible without having to spend any money.